“All patrol units are outfitted with in-car computer systems equipped with GPS monitoring and tracking equipment, which allows to monitor each deputy's movement and know where they are at all times,” he said. “While this is more of an efficiency and safety measure, obviously it affords us a method to track mileage and fuel consumption.”

State Police also rely on traffic data to reduce fuel spending, spokesman J.B. Slaton said. The agency often utilizes stationary patrols on roads with high crash statistics.

“We're not always doing roaming patrol,” he said.

Houma Police typically drive between 60 and 100 miles per shift, Duplantis said. To keep consumption down, the department advises its officers “not to leave police units idle for long periods of time unnecessarily,” he said.

For the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office, it is a priority to make sure to get the best deal on fuel, Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.

“We buy our fuel in bulk,” he said. “We don't allow our deputies to use credit cards. ... We do everything we can to curtail the cost of fuel.”

<p>As gas prices creep upward, law enforcement officials say they have implemented several strategies to keep costs down.</p><p>“We roll 24-7 on patrol,” Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis said. “When gas prices increase, it does affect us.”</p><p>Fuel prices have decreased slightly since this time last year, but costs are still higher than expected, Louisiana Triple AAA spokesman Don Redman said.</p><p>“This year, 2013, the Department of Energy said that things would be cheaper fuel-wise,” he said. “That hasn't been the case at all.”</p><p>Gas statewide costs about $3.43 a gallon, and Redman said he expects that number to rise this month and into September.</p><p>All Terrebonne Parish and Lafourche Parish agencies closely watch each squad car's mileage and fuel consumption. But officials say it's sometimes small common-sense practices that help keep costs down.</p><p>“We try not to use more manpower than necessary,” Thibodaux Police spokesman David Melancon said. “We always go with the cheaper gasoline.”</p><p>In addition, each Thibodaux Police officer spends an hour of his patrol shift on foot, he said. The department also has a four-man bike patrol, which helps curb the department's gas usage. </p><p>“That's four parked cars,” he said.</p><p>Both Thibodaux Police and The Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office use crime data-driven strategies to establish patrol routes. That pinpointed accuracy allows law enforcement to reduce frivolous mileage, Lafourche Sheriff's Office spokesman Brennan Matherne said.</p><p>“All patrol units are outfitted with in-car computer systems equipped with GPS monitoring and tracking equipment, which allows to monitor each deputy's movement and know where they are at all times,” he said. “While this is more of an efficiency and safety measure, obviously it affords us a method to track mileage and fuel consumption.”</p><p>State Police also rely on traffic data to reduce fuel spending, spokesman J.B. Slaton said. The agency often utilizes stationary patrols on roads with high crash statistics.</p><p>“We're not always doing roaming patrol,” he said. </p><p>Houma Police typically drive between 60 and 100 miles per shift, Duplantis said. To keep consumption down, the department advises its officers “not to leave police units idle for long periods of time unnecessarily,” he said.</p><p>For the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office, it is a priority to make sure to get the best deal on fuel, Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.</p><p>“We buy our fuel in bulk,” he said. “We don't allow our deputies to use credit cards. ... We do everything we can to curtail the cost of fuel.”</p>